Biological Controls

An effective method of bringing pest problems under control is to use the natural enemies of the insects. The following range have been used on the Continent and in the UK for some years with good results. It is important to emphasise the living nature of these controls. It is best that they be released within 24 hours of arrival to establish a useful population. When the pest is cleared the predator population dies out through lack of food. These predators should only be used in areas where the temperatures are maintained at room temperature and above. Orders need to be recieved by 2pm on a Thursday for delivery the following week. The predators are usually posted out on a Monday by first class post. With all predators add £6.00 Post & Packing for each delivery to mainland England, Wales & Scotland .
Due to a restriction in the shopping cart the postage keeps adding up but only one charge of £6.00 is charged. However as the predators are sent separately from any other goods the £6.00 is charged as well as the relevent carriage charge for any items not shown on this page.

Mealybug

A common problem on tropical plants, glasshouse crops and ornamentals. Mealybugs feed by sucking the plant sap causing leaf yellowing or loss. Plants are also damaged by production of honeydew and the sooty moulds that form on it.. There are several species belonging to the genera Planococcus and Pseudococcus. Adult females appear to be covered in a white waxy layer. The citrus mealybug was one of the first insect pests to be controlled by biological control (in the citrus crop of California) early in the 20th century.

MEALYBUG PREDATOR 1= Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

£10.75 ex VAT £12.90 inc VAT
Quantity

Pack (25) Although there are at least three species of Mealybug that may be a pest in tropical plants, this predator deals with them all. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is an orange and black Australian Ladybird approximately 4mm long. In displays they should preferably be released late in the day at a

Suggested distribution rate of 2-3 per sq mtr. (Up to 10/sq mtr for very heavy infestations)

Storage - Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark at 10 - 15°C

MEALYBUG PREDATOR 2 = Parasitoid Mix

£10.75 ex VAT £12.90 inc VAT
Quantity

Pack (50) For control of citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri). Leptomastix dactylopii is a 3mm yellow parasitic wasp that originated in Brazil but is now used worldwide. They attack large but immature mealybugs. Leptomastidea abnormis is a 1.5 mm long parasitic wasp, It attacks young 2nd instar stages of the Citrus mealybug and works under cooler conditions than the other parasitoids. Originates in southern Europe and has been used widely for biocontrol. Anagyrus pseudococci is a small parasitoid That prefers larger nearly full grown mealybugs but is able to develop in a variety of species. The citrus mealybug is the preferred host but it will also develop in the glasshouse mealybug (Pseudococcus viburni). This species develops faster than the other species. Originates from the Middle East but has become established as an effective biocontrol agent on most continents. Temperatures between 18 and 30C are required for development. Parasitised mealybugs continue to grow for a few days but then die and become brown and mummified. The parasite completes its growth inside this mummy. Available May to September only

Suggested distribution rate of 2-3 per sq mtr.

Storage - Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark at 10 - 15°C

Red Spidermite

This constant pest on Tropical plants is at it's worst during hot summer months. The webs used for travelling around the plants are easy to see, particularly around the leaf stems. The first signs may be yellow spots appearing on leaves. Spider mite populations can reach enormous levels in a very short time.

SPIDERMITE PREDATOR 1 = Phytoseiulus persimilis

£12.20 ex VAT £14.64 inc VAT
Quantity

Pack (2000) This predatory mite is an effective control. Predators are supplied in a shaker bottle mixed with vermiculite, which is shaken onto the infected plants. Low volume vermiculite shakers are supplied

Suggested spreading rate 10-20 per sq mtr.

Storage: Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark (bottle horizontal) temperature 8-10°C

Pack (5000) Areas of low humidity provide ideal breeding conditions for the spidermite but has the reverse effect on the predator Phytoseiulus persimilis. For these areas the predator Neoseiulus californicus should be introduced. (Spidermite predators 1 & 2 can be used effectively together).

Suggested distribution rate of 100-200 per sq mtr.

Storage: Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark (bottle horizontal) temperature 8-10°C

Soft Scale Insect

The first sign of a scale insect attack is usually the shiny deposits of the sticky honeydew they produce as they feed on the plants. They produce many hundreds of eggs, safely protected from chemical attack by their shell.

SOFT SCALE INSECT PREDATOR 1 = Metaphycus helvolus Not available

£10.75 ex VAT £12.90 inc VAT
Quantity

Storage - Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark at 10 - 15C

Pack (25) Metaphycus helvolus is a small 1.5 mm long parasitoid that attacks soft scale insects particularly Saisettia coffeae and Coccus hesperidum the two most common pests on ornamental plants. The female lays up to 6 eggs per day one to each host with the preferred stage being young 2nd instar. However, it kills many more hosts by feeding on their blood. Metaphycus helvolus was first collected in South Africa but has been widely used for biocontrol of soft scale. Available May to September only

Three releases at fortnightly intervals at a rate of 5 per sq. mtr is most effective.

Storage - Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark at 10 - 15°C

SOFT SCALE PREDATOR 3 = Encyrtus infelix Not available

£10.75 ex VAT £12.90 inc VAT
Quantity

Pack (25) A black coloured parasitoid measuring about 2.5 mm in length that attacks soft scale such as Saisettia spp. The parasitoid chooses adult scales that are whitish in colour which turn blackish with the development of the grub inside.The generation time takes about 3-4 weeks at 25°C. The parasitoid does best in warm conditions and each adult can lay around 30 or more eggs. This is a British species. Available May to September only

Suggested distribution rate of 2 per sq mtr.

Storage - Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark at 10 - 15°C

SOFT SCALE PREDATOR 4 = Parasitoid Mix Not available

£10.75 ex VAT £12.90 inc VAT
Quantity

Pack (25) a mixture of predators 1,2 & 3 giving a wider range of control by combining their “hunting skills”. Available May to September only

Hard Scale Insect

Hard or armoured scales are insects with a thin, hard, waxy cover.They feed on plant sap and cause loss of vigour, deformation of infested plant parts, sometimes yellowish spots on the leaves and even death of the plant.
Armoured scales don't produce honeydew.

HARD SCALE INSECT PREDATOR 1 = Chilocorus nigritus

£10.75 ex VAT £12.90 inc VAT
Quantity

Pack (25) A small black beetle that eats hard scale insects. Temperature must be above 22°C and preferably above 25°C for effective control. Egg production 3 eggs per day at 20°C but 10 per day at 30°C. Overall lifespan can extend up to 9 months and egg laying continues provided individuals are kept with a male and provided with adequate supplies of fresh food. Available May to September only

Suggested Application Rate: per square metre in infested areas.

Storage: Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 2 days at room temperature.

Vine Weevil

The vine weevil (a medium sized wingless beetle) is now a common problem. The young grubs feed upon the roots of plants causing damage often leading to plant death.

VINE WEEVIL PREDATOR = Heterorhabditis megidis

£19.50 ex VAT £23.40 inc VAT
Quantity

50 sq m pack. Larvanem is a preparation of insect parasitic nematodes which is mixed with water and then applied as a soil drench. The soil must be kept moist and during the treatment period the soil temperature should not fall below 14°C, for heavy infestations repeat the treatment after 6 to 8 weeks.

Storage: See packet for expiry date, in the dark at 2-6°C

Sciarid Fly

The larvae of the sciarid fly (fungus gnat) feed on rotting plant material in the compost.

SCIARID PREDATOR 1= Steinemema feltiae

£19.50 ex VAT £23.40 inc VAT
Quantity

50 sq m pack. These nematodes are mixed with water and applied as a soil drench.This should be used as a routine preventative treatment for sciarid and other soil borne pests. If adult sciarid flies are present it may take two weeks for a noticeable reduction.

Pack (10000) These are supplied as adult mites bottled with inert carrying material. The adults and nymphs attack eggs, larvae and pupae preferring the smaller larvae. Also effective against shore-flies (Ephydridae)

Suggested distribution rate of 100 - 500 per sq mtr.

Storage - Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark at 10 - 15°C

General

GENERAL PREDATOR = Chrysoperla carnea

£19.18 ex VAT £23.02 inc VAT
Quantity

Pack (1000). The larvae of the common green lacewing are formidable predators, that will attack and suck empty living preys. Aphids are preferred, but also many other pest insects are eaten. They are supplied as second stage larvae in 500cc shaker bottles. The adults do not contribute to control as the majority fly away.

Suggested Application Rate: Between 10 and 50 per square metre in infested areas. (for use in low displays)

Storage: Use as soon as possible for best results: No longer than 1 - 2 days in the dark (bottle horizontal) temperature 8-10°C